Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1543424
Twin Rivers United Educators (TRUE) TRUE educators continue to organize for a fair contract, voting near-unani- mously to authorize a strike for the safe, stable schools their students deserve. Negotiations with the school district have been at impasse since December, following months of stalled negoti- ations where the district refused to present fair and meaningful proposals for TRUE members. TRUE is committed to fighting for smaller class sizes, recruiting and retaining high-quality educators, and fully paid health benefits because investing in staff is investing in stu- dents. Educators across Sacramento are organizing together for public schools; among other actions, they held a successful art build in January. Stay current on TRUE's contract fight on Facebook at @TRUEassociation and Instagram at @WeAreTRUEUnion. Soquel Education Association (SEA) Soquel educators have declared an impasse in contract negotiations after months of stonewalling by the Soquel Union Elementary School District. 47% of Soquel educators are con- sidering employment elsewhere for the next school year, yet the district continues to refuse to invest in its teachers. Educators are being asked to shoulder crushing healthcare costs, in many cases in excess of $1,700 a month out-of-pocket, while being offered a 0% pay raise. While living in the most expensive part of the country (Santa Cruz), Soquel educators are among the lowest compensated in the state. SEA members are organizing, demanding that the district put Soquel students first and calling for a fair, com- petitive contract now. Follow SEA on Facebook at @SoquelEA Natomas Teachers Association (NTA) NTA members continue organizing for the teaching and learning conditions all Natomas students and educators deserve, with 98% voting in February to authorize a strike. NTA's negotiations have been at impasse since December, with edu- cators fighting for the safe, stable schools their community needs, and competitive wages and benefits that will recruit and retain educators in the district. Members have been picketing outside schools and school board meetings, rallying with parents and community to demand better from school district officials. NTA kicked off the new year by col- laborating on the regional art build in January to create signs and banners as they prepare to strike. We Can't Wait Victories! These WCW locals recently organized, built power and negotiated contracts as they continue the fight for the safe, stable and fully staffed schools all students deserve: • Anaheim Secondary Teachers Assn. • Duarte Unified Education Association • Lynwood Teachers Association • Madera Unified Teachers Association • San Diego Education Association • Southwest Teachers Association Madera Unified Teachers Assn. proved that when you organize and fight, you win! After more than a year of bargaining and a month of mediation, Madera educators won a 12.5% increase in salary, additional employer contributions to health benefits, and more. The win came after MUTA organized educators from every school site, as well as parents and community members, and made it clear they were ready to do whatever it took to win a fair contract. 27 W I N T E R 2 0 26